Mun has been wearing the shipping goggles an awful lot lately

[fortunefail]

What the hell is the matter with you? I understand the Valentine's Day experiment is drawing closer, but that is no excuse for what you're plotting. Not to mention what you're putting me through outside Luceti.

Your behavior is absolutely disgraceful.

Comments

[fortunefail]

I'm sure.

[Except that he does. Just a little.]

[skirtcladgunner]

...heh. If you say so, but you almost sounded concerned about my well being. [Wishful thinking?]

[fortunefail]

Don't be foolish.

[skirtcladgunner]

I don't see you going out of your way to warn everyone else about him. [You are the king of mixed signals, Mommy Yuan.]

[fortunefail]

I gave Jeb the same warning I gave you. More than once, if I recall correctly.

[skirtcladgunner]

Oh, did you? I didn't know that... not that it'll matter during that damn event at that place you're both in. [This isn't jealousy, this is worry and anger. Nothing more.]

[fortunefail]

[Sigh.]

Do you need me to try and keep an eye on him? [That is, if he has time and opportunity to do so. Which he probably doesn't, what with the mun's ideas and their aftermath.

Why did he make this offer again?]

[skirtcladgunner]

You'd... do that, Yuan? You'd really try to look after Jeb for me?

[fortunefail]

... I might as well.

[skirtcladgunner]

...

[Tori won't hug you, Yuan. However, she will bury her face into your shoulder to hide the fact that she's in tears.]

[fortunefail]

[............. Ah.

There is a girl crying on his shoulder. Why is there a girl crying on his shoulder? This is not what he intended. In fact, this is the complete opposite of what he intended.

Have an awkward pat on the back.]

[skirtcladgunner]

[Not just crying, Yuan. Sobbing audibly. Which defeats the purpose of hiding her face in his shoulder. After a few moments, she looks up at him. She's still crying, but she's also smiling.]

Thanks, Yuan. I appreciate it.

[fortunefail]

[Why do you keep doing this to him, Tori? Why do you insist on making him feel uncomfortable?]

... Any time.

[skirtcladgunner]

[You wouldn't be so uncomfortable if you just accepted that you care about people, Yuan. Also because Tori is an emotional teenage girl and has an emotional attachment toward you. ...for some reason.]

I really do appreciate it. Jeb's not just my boyfriend. He's... he's my oldest friend, too.

[fortunefail]

Right.

[He does not need to hear these things. Really, he doesn't. He just wants to Tori to let go of him.]

[skirtcladgunner]

[Nothing stopping you from stepping away, bro. It's not like she's holding onto you.]

...do you... shit, nevermind.

[fortunefail]

... What?

[Dammit, don't make him curious. Now he actually wants to know.]

[skirtcladgunner]

It's none of my business, but if you're going to ask... do you have anyone like that? A really old, close friend you wouldn't want anything to happen to? [She only knows about Kratos vaguely... but maybe that's not what she's referring to--in fact, it probably isn't.]

[fortunefail]

[Wait, what? "Really old"? Who told you about his real age, huh? Was it the Riddl- wait, no, he doesn't know either. Hm...]

More than one.

[skirtcladgunner]

[Oh, Yuan. That's not what she means. Jeb is her "really old friend," after all, and neither of them are Older Than They look. ...technically.]

Then you'd probably understand, right? Why I don't want anything to happen to Jeb... why I'd never forgive myself if something did happen.

[fortunefail]

Yes, yes, I understand. [And he is stepping back, now.]

[skirtcladgunner]

...I'm glad. [She's still smiling.] It makes me feel less... stupid for feeling so strongly about it.

[Because she can't stop what's not in her control, and she knows the extent of her fear of the people around her dying is highly irrational--especially with how she handles said fear.]

[fortunefail]

... It's only natural to feel that way.

[skirtcladgunner]

Heh. I suppose! I just wish I didn't react the way I do when someone I care about is in danger. It makes me worry about how I'd react if...

[Oh, shit. She laughs.] Hahaha, nevermind that! You're absolutely right, it is natural!